Reľov: Mountain Landscape, Goral Tradition and Holiday Apartments

Reľov lies at the foot of the Spišská Magura and is surrounded by high mountains on three sides. Between mountain landscapes, forests and traditional customs, the village reveals different facets that can be combined during a trip.

Nature and Landscape

Most of the municipal area of Reľov is covered by coniferous forest. A special local natural feature is the Teplica spring below Baniská, which does not freeze over in winter. Roe deer live in the forests; red deer, wild boar, bears and wolves also occur there at times.

During walks in the forests of Reľov, you may observe hares, foxes, martens, squirrels, badgers and wildcats; with a little luck, you may also see lynxes. Forest berries gathered in Reľov are used to make preserves, syrups and jams.

History and Village Character

Reľov was founded in the 13th century by Magister Kokoš Berzeviczy. In 1314, the village was donated to the Carthusians at Skala útočišťa. The historic buildings include traditional three-room log houses with wooden farm buildings, which form enclosed farmsteads in Reľov.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Reľov was built after 1787, incorporating an older Renaissance chapel into its ground plan. The presbytery and sacristy of this church are Renaissance in style. Reľov has also preserved its agricultural and pastoral character to this day.

As a result, several historical layers meet in the villagescape. The foundation and the donation to the Carthusians belong to its early history, the Renaissance elements of the church point to older structural parts, and the enclosed farmsteads preserve the traditional form of construction. In terms of customs, the range extends from the Goral dialect and shepherds’ plays to amateur theatre and the Three Kings’ table tennis tournament.

Living Traditions

The traditional Goral dialect is still spoken in Reľov today. Christmas shepherds’ plays have survived to the present day in a slightly modified form. The tradition of amateur theatre dates back to around 1925; in 2009, rehearsals for amateur plays resumed in Reľov.

An annual Three Kings’ table tennis tournament with a long-standing tradition is part of the local yearly cycle. History, language, theatre and festive customs thus stand side by side.

Routes through the Surrounding Area

The tourist routes listed for Reľov include PI01 Hrebeňom Spišskej Magury - západná časť, with the route Strednica - Magurka - Bukovina - Smrečiny - Magurské sedlo. The route passes several points along the ridge of the Spišská Magura.

Those who include a holiday apartment in Reľov in their travel plans can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. This information provides an objective framework for choosing accommodation, while the landscape, local history and local traditions appeal to different travel interests.

More pages about localities: Kežmarok, Slovenská Ves, Jezersko, Matiašovce, Busovce, Tvarožná, Spišská Stará Ves, Veľká Lomnica

To the higher-level travel overview: Kežmarok District.